He Kidnaps a Deputy
entries, Joseph had on now the new swallowtail, which he
wore with the air of a diplomat, as was fitting, since
Napoleon had recently clinched for him the appointment
to the Western Department.
On the opposite side sat Lucien, much disgruntled be-
cause he had to follow the others' lead, though admitted
to their conclaves, and eagerly awaiting the chance to
clothe in fine words the abstract political ideas which were
sure to arise in the discussion. At this trick he was amaz-
ingly clever.
Even more abstemious than his brothers. Napoleon
scarcely touched the light Furiani wine on the table, but
spent his time maturing a certain plan, as he paced up
and down before the fireplace. His tangled locks of hair
fell around features almost as thin and jaundiced as two
years before; the lieutenant's uniform looked worn, the
rather too large top-boots lusterless, and the epaulets
faded. But there was no lack of flash or luster in the eyes,
dark blue, somber, and yet piercing.
"The archdeacon's money is a godsend," said Joseph,
scratching with his quilL "But it will take all the signora's
share to strike any sort of balance."
"Let the debts wait," said Napoleon. "I have another
use for that money."
He stopped his pacing to explain, as Joseph looked
up in astonishment:
"Next week the National Guard is to elect officers.
I will run for lieutenant-colonel. I need votes5 so we will
collect all the recruits we can from the outlying dis-
tricts. The money will be needed for entertaining; but the
increase in pay will more than make up for the expendi-
ture."
47